bmi regional wins 'Airline of the year'

bmi regional, the UK’s most punctual scheduled airline, has won the prestigious Silver Airline of the Year award at the annual European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) conference in Salzburg, Austria. Introduced in 1991 to recognise the best overall achievement of an ERAA member airline over the previous 12 months, the airline of the year award has become the most widely recognised industry award in the regional aviation sector.
 
bmi regional became independent from bmi in June 2012, and established its own operational, commercial and support infrastructure within four months, and within a year launched 12 new routes across UK and Europe. This year’s judging panel – consisting of independent industry experts including former airline CEOs and aviation journalists – drew particular attention to the way bmi regional has re-launched itself as a standalone operator. Since its introduction, the Airline of the Year Award has grown to become the most widely recognised industry award in the aviation sector.
 
Cathal O’Connell, CEO of bmi regional, said: "Winning this award is a special honour for the airline. It is a testament to the commitment of every member of the team at bmi regional in the eighteen months since we became an independent airline: what we have achieved in the last year or so has been nothing short of incredible. The airline has demonstrated how a dedicated team can act quickly and decisively to implement the commercial and operational infrastructure necessary to create a flexible and efficient airline. I would like to personally thank the bmi regional team for all their hard work – and, of course, our customers and trade partners for their loyalty and support during this huge transition period”
 
He continued: “bmi regional now has the agility of a start-up business with the heritage of a great brand, whilst continuing to deliver a quality offering to our customers across eight European countries. This award is especially meaningful for bmi regional because it comes directly from our peers in the airline business."

Commenting on the Airline of the Year award given to bmi regional, the Judging Panel said: “The airline has managed to survive and develop through a dramatic period of transformation. Their re-launch and cut-over to a stand-alone airline was effectively executed in a short timeframe. It has established itself as a reliable airline with an expanding network.”